Category: Matt Cain

Sat April 19, 2014
Despite the loss last night, it was a great baseball game for baseball aficionados. I can’t remember seeing baseball with a “mirror image” like this was. Both teams played an identical game in all ways. The only difference was the botchy play in the 1st inning. Both starters had 9 K’s, a total of 20K’s including the relievers. Equal in hits, and LOB’s, the relievers giving up homers. It was a great game to watch. I think this bodes well for Cains revival.
An interesting sidelight; Le Anne decided to learn to score while we in Phoenix. Last night she scored the entire game, and did very well despite a recurring liability to confuse 4 and 6. For you neophytes, that means 2B and SS. She is a fast learner indeed.
After we take the series, we will head on to Denver.
Bert and I got a good look at the park. Bert thought the park had no continuity. I thought it had many micro-environs. The true fans welcomed us, and it seemed there were more Giants fans in the stadium last night. We met two couples, one a Giants season ticket holder who had tickets in section 202, and the other from Sacramento. People in general seem fascinated by Bert’s long roots in baseball, as well as this dream trip. By the next game trip we will have cards so Bert can share the blog, with those interested.
As for the food update: Bert had a Kosher dog. He said is was as good as AT&T. I had a chipotle chicken salad. My salad had greens, a generous portion of carrots and chicken, and a dressing that was spicy enough to leave my nose running. I saw some good-looking barbecue at a place called Phil’s. I am thinking about the ribs, but am wearing light pants since it should be about 70 today. It will be a game time decision.
As for my scoring I know Crawford is 6 and the short stop, so get frustrated when I get things wrong. I have changed scorecard designs 3 times in the 3 series, and Petco has a very dated electronic scoreboard. We are spoiled at AT&T. The lineup was announce quickly, to quick for even a skilled scorer like Bert to get it down on the 1st try. Attendance was 34,839 and not a sell out.
Our seats were in section 207, row 2. The seats were great and about 36 feet from the field accoring to info I read online. They were great until the people in row 1 showed up and the girl in front of me kept readjusting her bun and tossing her baby. It was a hard game for this novice score keeper. Unlike Bert who is a seasoned fan, I was disappointed in the outcome. Give Matt Cain a break and win one. He pitched a near ideal game. If Posey had been catching we would not have had the passed ball, and the game would have gone into extra innings. We need Pablo and Pence to step up to the plate, and hit!
I wanted to explore the ballpark, so we headed there to arrive 2 hours prior. As Bert said the park is sprawling and in his opinion disjointed. We learned that they don’t allow admission to the stands until 1 1/2 hours to game time, so we spent the half hour visiting with some fans from Fresno. They were there with their teenage daughter for spring break. She was not as thrilled as her dad was to be at the game. By the time we got to the opposite side of the stadium, the Giants were taking batting practice, and I elected to watch that since the seats were so close. We got to see the Padres mascot who is called the Swinging Friar. I am somewhat surprised that they chose to embrace the religious heritage of the area. It is also a title that sets itself up for jokes. They also had another person dressed up in a Lion costume and I initially thought this was the mascot. Perhaps this was a tie in to the San Diego Zoo?
Well I hope we take the series. Hudson is pitching for the Giants and has been brilliant in the starts so far. The Padres are starting a leftie, Eric Stults. I hope he has a start like his last against the Rockies, and that the Giants get the bats producing. Go Giants!

We snagged a Padres fan to capture a photo. You can see some of concessions in background and each area of park is different

People run the steps at the convention center. I have tried to get motivated to join them, but so far no luck

Feel like Johnny Cash – all in black

Bert couldn’t wait to check out Petco Park

Friday April 18 2014
Arrived in San Diego yesterday, and watched the Dodger SF game sadly using our phone and the TV. We couldn’t watch the televised version because they have direct TV and the Dodger and direct are in a squabble. Tonight we will resume our win streak because we will be in Petco park dawning our orange. Cain will come through. The two games he has lost were with us watching. That streak must end!
San Diego and the historic gas lamp quarter is active, interesting, and we are walking distance from Petco. More tomorrow. We had spaghetti last night at the old spaghetti factory. Bert was amazed that two of us could eat and drink for $43 for bread, salad, an entrée, a glass of wine, and spumoni. For me it was a walk down memory lane with dinner and a ball game. We looked at the menu and Seattle was one the first locations. We have met many friendly locals who were happy to give us ideas.
I am happy at the Hilton which is across from the convention center. Bert found that the Marriott is closer than our condo is from the ballpark and will check into it for our next trip. It is across the street from the ballpark.
Until tomorrow,
Bert and Le Anne